The seasonal decline in sales in the post-New Year period affected all Caribbean destinations. However, the prices for Mexico fall more than others - for some dates they fall even below the level of more budgetary Cuba.
Thus, the minimum cost of a nine-day tour to Mexico with departure from Moscow in the second half of January starts from 85 thousand Rubles (1,125 Euros) for two persons. Observers connect this with an increase of charter traffic on the Caribbean destinations, which has led to its excess. Tour operators have to equalize the prices of tour packages, focusing on the most budget ones.
Recall that in the current winter season Pegas Touristik retained its last year’s frequency (three flights a month), but increased the number of seats on boards of NordWind airline by more than 50%. ANEX Tour, which last year was unable to carry out fully the declared flight program to Mexico, this year increased the volumes - its airline, Azur Air, operates two flights a week. Thus, Cancun airport accepts 11 charters from Moscow for the month. At the same time, experts say, to maintain a balance of supply and demand, eight flights are enough.
“Meanwhile, tour operators, who form tours based on their own transportation, have hard blocks in hotels in Mexico. In order to close them, suppliers are ready to sell tickets almost to zero and offer tours at the lowest rates. As a result, there is no acceptable profitability not only for themselves, but also for other travel service providers who have to participate in this competitive struggle”, said experts.
On the other hand, selling of tours to Mexico at below market prices may be caused by the need to solve some tactical tasks. “If the flight programs are not adjusted, then the sales volumes are adequate or a good depth, or the percentage of cheap tour packages in the total volume is minimal,” said Vasily Yakovlev, the head of Latin American department of Intourist.